Ford has a lot riding on the 2010 Fiesta subcompact. With American buyers turning to small cars as the solution to high gas prices, Ford sales have been dragged down by a truck-heavy lineup. The Detroit-based automaker has already suspended its plan to return to profitability in 2009, banking on the 2010 model year instead. The Fiesta, and a new Focus, will be the centerpieces of that effort.
New Car Net sees the vehicle "as a significant landmark in Ford's history," adding that it is the first Ford "developed for customers around the world," and "the template for the company's future generations of global vehicles."
So what do we know about the little car?
Kicking Tires reports, "Ford recently released information on the gasoline engine that will power its new Fiesta compact car in Europe. While Europeans will get the choice of a number of diesel options, the only gasoline powered model will be a four-cylinder able to hit 118 mph, do 0-62 mph in 9.9 seconds and get a combined mileage of 38.9 mpg, far better than any non-hybrid on sale in the U.S."
We assume that's the same engine that will power the U.S. model, but Ford hasn't made any formal announcement about the American Fiesta. In fact, the car goes on sale in Europe in three months, but won't reach U.S. showrooms until the 2010 model year.
There is no word on whether we'll see the Fiesta Econetic, a higher-mpg version of the car Ford has built for the European market.
When it does get here, it will have to do battle with the 2010 Chevy Cruze, also expected to get nearly 40 mpg.
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